Broadacres devotees find shopping, entertainment at weekend market

After coming under new ownership in 2007, Broadacres has grown to become a mecca for shopping and entertainment for the North Las Vegas community.

The flea market has existed for decades.

“Before, there wasn’t even a parking lot, and it was almost like a junkyard,” said Alma Estevez, a North Las Vegas resident who has frequented Broadacres Marketplace and Events Center, 2930 Las Vegas Blvd. North, for more than eight years. “Now, it’s so nice to go there. They have really turned the place around.”

Since Greg Danz became the owner, Broadacres has expanded to 44 acres, allowing for 1,100 businesses to provide their products and services on a weekly basis, according to Broadacres spokeswoman Evelyn Sanchez.

“We welcome about 30,000 people per weekend,” she said. “The fact that we are very family-oriented and that there is something for children as well as adults makes us very appealing.”

The opening of a stage in the center of the marketplace in November 2010 has drawn more people who come to listen and dance to live bands Friday through Sunday. The events center area also has 10 flat-screen televisions to show music or sporting events.

“There are food vendors all over, so people get to come here, grab a bite, sit down and relax,” Sanchez said. “We have a different band every day, and we have also hired big-name bands because we realize that the demand is higher to bring higher-level bands at least once a month.”

Given that a large portion of Broadacres’ customer base is Hispanic, many of the bands sing in Spanish and come from Latin America. Nevertheless, in an attempt to provide entertainment for everyone, organizers also have hired American country bands.

“I like that it has something for everyone,” Estevez said. “You can come here with your entire family for a very reasonable cost and shop for everything from toys to cars or be entertained by the live music while the children are also having fun.”

Entrance fees range from $1.50 Friday and Saturday to $2 on Sunday. The low cost has enticed some people to become regulars.

“I have been coming here almost every weekend for over six years,” said Angel Gutierrez. “It is very affordable for us, so it’s become like a tradition for our family. It is our weekly outing where all of us get to unwind a little.”

Another thing Broadacres is proud of is having a variety of businesses present. In fact, Gutierrez said he likes the selection of vendors because the diversity of products and services allows him to buy peanuts from one vendor and cable television from another.

“There is something for everyone,” Sanchez said. “We have vendors that sell shoes, clothes, toys, games, antiques, furniture, but we also have car dealerships and State Farm Insurance.”

Small family businesses also are present.

“Being here has worked really well for me because I don’t have an office and work from home during the weekdays,” said Dish Network representative Armando Vargas, who has had a booth at the marketplace for about 1½ years. “The rent for the booth is $300 a month, and that is a very comfortable amount.”

Vargas added that the large flow of people has helped his business make enough revenue to keep going.

Estevez, who buys items from exotic fruits to Central American condiments, said there are things at the marketplace that she cannot find anywhere else. Regardless of what she buys, be it clothes or toys, she said she knows she is getting quality products and services that would be more expensive elsewhere.

“I really like that it has grown a lot in the past few years and provided a better experience for both the customers and the vendors,”she said. “There is always something new to see, and it is very inclusive and fun. I have been coming for years and will likely continue to do so.”

Broadacres is open year-round from 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit broadacresmec.com.

Contact reporter Maria Agreda at magreda@reviewjournal.com or on Twitter at @mjfagre.